Getting the Most Out of Life

 

 

As you go through life as an adult you have the opportunity to make hundreds of decisions on a daily basis.  Every decision will have a cause and effect.  Every decision will require us to give up something else.  Every decision has consequences and repercussions.  As you look back on those decisions you might have some regrets and you might have some successes.  As I type this post I am thinking of a recent decision we made as a family that has created financial, functional, and relational consequences (no, I’m not talking about the decision to launch my business this year).  Because of that family decision, I am now forced to make other decisions that I am not necessarily looking forward to making – but I have to.  In fact, as I look back on my life (which all of us should do so we can properly evaluate how we are performing I see regret for a few things:

  • I wish I would have faced more of my fears sooner in life.
  • I wish I would have confessed my sins sooner.
  • I wish I would have tried new foods at a younger age (I’m a picky eater).
  • I wish I would not have held on to a grudge, it did me no good.

But the fact is I can now look back on these regrets and make a new life course; I can make new decisions that go against the regrets I have made in the past.  I can confess sin sooner than later.  I can face more fears when they arise.  I can try new foods when given the opportunity. I can be forgiving sooner rather than later.

I today’s post I want to talk about five keys to gaining success in life and, hopefully living without regrets.

5 Keys to Gaining Success in Life

Protect Your FAB

What is your FAB?  It is your spiritual heart…

  • Your Feelings
  • You Attitudes
  • Your Behavior

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Life will stink sometimes; remember, you are in control of your feelings, attitude, and behavior.

On a good day and a bad day, you choose how you will interact with others through your Feelings, Attitude, and Behavior.

Learn to Accept Feedback

Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)
To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)
A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

This point is so important for getting the most out of life.  We typically don’t like feedback on our life because of our own pride or insecurities.

Seek out feedback.  Go to people who are “for you”; they are for your best intentions and want you to succeed.  Ask them to give you feedback on your life and how your FAB is interacting with them.

Protect the Integrity of Your Name

Proverbs 22:1 (NASB)
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

Protect your name, it is what goes before you.  When others hear your name said they will have either positive, negative, or neutral thoughts about you.  So you need to do what you can to protect your name.  Here are a few ways you can protect your name:

  • Say what you mean and mean what you say
  • Follow through on promises
  • Confront sin lovingly and graciously
  • Forgive others quickly
  • Be a good listener

 

Use Your Words to Build Others Up

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Several years ago my daughter was struggling with some classmates at school; specifically the words they were using with each other.  I had to have a talk with her one day and I shared with her the power of our words with others.  During this time a pop singer released a song with a similar message; here are the lyrics:

Brave – Sara Bareilles

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
And they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down
By the enemy
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Innocence, your history of silence
Won’t do you any good
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Love the Word of God

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. 3They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

When God’s Word becomes a part of your life – You will prosper in all you do!!!

Want more insight?

Consider a few Coaching Sessions with Terry (in the office, over the phone, or in a Zoom Conference Room).  I can help you cut through the clutter of life to get un-stuck and you will have success.

Email:  [email protected]

Call:  231-499-9069

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Terry Porter